Economics / Government Government loan clears way for Tukituki water project design work in Hawke’s Bay The Government has approved a loan of up to $18.13m to push the Tukituki water storage plan into detailed design, but any build will depend on the project stacking up.
Health / Government Pharmac funds nivolumab–ipilimumab before melanoma surgery, aiming to cut treatment time and ease clinic pressure The new funding route opens from 1 May 2026 for resectable stage 3B–4 melanoma, with Pharmac expecting fewer post-op infusions and about 1,000 clinic hours saved each year.
Emergency / Government FENZ to consult on station callout policy; union says change risks slower responses The Professional Firefighters Union says proposed limits on calling back off‑duty crews would thin cover when appliances are out, and is pushing for a wider inquiry into FENZ’s capability.
Government / World Peters to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington The Foreign Minister is set for face-to-face talks focused on Pacific and Indo-Pacific cooperation and the Middle East conflict’s regional impact.
Government / Economics Government loosens high-country lease rules to allow horticulture, tourism and solar; exceptional cases could see land leave pastoral estate A new Bill will expand what Crown pastoral leaseholders can do on their land and create a path, in rare cases, for land to be used for other purposes, with ministers citing higher returns and regional growth.
Government / New Zealand Government moves to keep schools open as fuel supply bites The Ministry is contacting every school, monitoring buses, lunches and diesel heating, and planning targeted support to keep classes running.
Government / New Zealand Heather Simpson appointed Deputy Chair of Antarctica New Zealand The former chief of staff to Helen Clark steps up on the board as the agency works through a testing period for the Scott Base project and New Zealand’s Antarctic programme.
Government / New Zealand Parliament votes 112–11 to end greyhound racing, ban set for August 2026 A new transition agency led by Heather Simpson will oversee the wind‑down, dog rehoming, and worker support as racing is phased out.
Government / Economics Primary teachers ratify new collective; top-of-scale rises to $107,886, unit parity set for 2028 NZEI members back deal delivering staged pay rises from today and lifting primary unit rates to match secondary over the next three years.
Government / New Zealand Inland Revenue tells myIR users to enable two-step verification The department is asking customers who don’t already use 2SV to turn it on to better secure access to their tax accounts.
Government / New Zealand Serious youth offending 25% below 2023 baseline, Minister says Annual report points to faster-than-target declines; substantiated abuse findings down as Reports of Concern hit record highs.
Government / New Zealand Government says 500 more households housed through Housing First in six months Minister credits extra funding and new social homes; 280 rough sleepers moved into transitional housing, with about 45 households a month leaving the streets.
